Don S???? Volvo steering helmut

[jawzzy]

I had the steering Helmut replaced this summer on my 93 Chaparral 290DP, and ever since I've had nothing but trouble with the steering. The outdrive has about 5" of play in it, and all of it seems to be in the shaft going up through the transom to the steering cable. I had another mechanic look at it, and he said it wasn't right, so I took it back to my Volvo dealer, and they didn't think so either, but after 5 hours and replacing bushings that didn't need it, NO CHANGE. Now they're trying to tell me that there's something wrong with a cylinder (hydraulic I think) within the steering mechanism, but I'm not sure about that one yet. Before the new steering helmut, it was tight and responsive, now my boat even wanders at 50kph, and it's very frustrating. When they first replaced the helmut, it didn't fit, and I had to pay for another piece so that it would fit the steering arm. I still think that perhaps it's the wrong piece somehow, as does the other mechanic, as he says with Volvo's parts super exceeding others in time, it gets very complicated sometimes. I have part #s if that would help. I would appreciate any input you might have into this problem with your Volvo experience, THANKS!!!!!

 

[Don S]

Re: Don S???? Volvo steering helmut

What model drive do you have? Should be a tag on top of the upper gear box of the drive.

 

[jawzzy]

Re: Don S???? Volvo steering helmut

DP-C serial 3102142943872778

 

[Don S]

Re: Don S???? Volvo steering helmut

For future reference, your serial number is 3102142943 the spec number is 872778, but it's basically an unused number. Keep the serial number handy (along with your engine model and serial number if you have it), it's very easy to locate the EXACT parts needed with that information.<br /><br />As far as your steering goes, the steering fork kit if they replaced it, should be 854707.<br />The bushings are 854705 for the upper bushing, and 854704 for the lower.<br />If you had different numbers, post what they used.

 

[jawzzy]

Re: Don S???? Volvo steering helmut

These are the part #'s they used:<br />transom shield housing 854925<br />trim guide Quandrant 872812<br />steering Arm VP AQ290 872722<br /><br />there is no bushings listed. <br /><br />So it looks like I'm right about the wrong piece, as the shaft through the transom seems too small now, and that's where the play is coming from. <br /><br />Thanks VERY MUCH for your help so far, I REALLY appreciate it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Don S???? Volvo steering helmut

as its already been apart once its now fairly easy to remove. if the new helmut assy is rivited together it requires removal of the upper box now. here in the salt pond they lock up ocassionally.<br />but its been an ongoing headache to figgure out what parts are superceded and how many more parts ya gotta have . I think there are only two sizes of shield bushings for that application. some years back there was a fine spline fork assy and later a larger square spline. but it is possible the wrong parts were used, if you have hydraulic steering I guess its possible there is air in the cyl allowing the tiller to swing left and right. a small amount of side to side play where the steering fork shaft enters the shield is normal. is there a description of the work performed? and why did the shield get replaced ?

 

[jawzzy]

Re: Don S???? Volvo steering helmut

I've tested some of the volvos to see the "normal" play, and my exceeds them greatly. You can see the angled movement up through the transom hole, it's VERY noticable. The work performed was simply replacing the old one, which broke in two pieces, for which I had NO IDEA why (I didn't hit anything), and install a new steering arm since the original one was too small for the new spline on the steering helmut, which is all ONE piece. This boat only had about 350 hrs on it, so I still don't understand how it broke in the first place. I do not boat in Salt water either

 

[Don S]

Re: Don S???? Volvo steering helmut

The steering Arm VP AQ290 872722 they put on is the wrong one for your transom shield and steering fork. It could only be used if they changed the steering fork also.<br />I also checked your transom shield housing 854925<br />and that number never came up.<br />The other number is just the plastic part on the helmut for the trim indicator.<br />Do you have hydraulic steering or cable steering?<br /><br /><br />

 

[jawzzy]

Re: Don S???? Volvo steering helmut

As I understood it, the helmut and fork were all one piece, and I had to have them both switched, although I was hoping when it broke in 2 that all I would need was the helmut: it looked replaceable. That's why they told me I needed a new steering arm, as they ARE different. <br />I'll see if they can double check the transom shield # for me, and get back to you. Do not know for sure, but I believe it's hydraulic as I think that's what they're trying to tell me is the problem now with the play. The steering wheel has about 6" of free play before anything really starts to move with the drive. Thanks again

 

[jawzzy]

Re: Don S???? Volvo steering helmut

well I visited them today at the marina, and being as busy as they were, all I could get out of them on the 854925 number was that it was a cross referenced number that Volvo Canada gave them. I bet that's not much help, but that was all I could get right now

 

[Don S]

Re: Don S???? Volvo steering helmut

That's why rodbolt and I both ask about hydraulic steering.<br />Just look inside and watch the steering cylinder and have someone move the drive back and forth. If the cylinder rod moves back and forth, it's air in the steering system, not wrong parts.

 

[jawzzy]

Re: Don S???? Volvo steering helmut

k, will do, but that'll have to wait till spring for an update, after I get it back out of storage Thanks again guys for the help, and I WILL update: I usually do!!!!!

 

[jawzzy]

Re: Don S???? Volvo steering helmut

well my marina checked all the parts out with Volvo again against your info, and everything checked out. After talking to local Volvo specialists, perhaps like yourself Don , they're stumped at why there is so much play in the steering. They don't believe that it's in the steering itself, and the only suggestion by the pro's was to maybe replace the transom shield, but really didn't think that would improve it much. So I guess I stuck with dog tracking even at high speeds until something else shows up enough to show the problem.<br />Thanks again Don for all your help on this one!!!